Court Denies Bauchi Finance Commissioner, Others Bail in Alleged $9.7m Terrorism Financing Charge

Alex Enumah in Abuja

A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, refused to release on bail, the Commissioner for Finance, Bauchi State, Yakubu Adamu, and his co-defendants, standing trial on an alleged $9.7 million terrorism financing charge.

Justice Emeka Nwite based his decision on the grounds that the offences with which the defendants were arraigned threatened national security and public safety.

I’m his ruling in their bail applications, the judge explained that terrorism related offences threatened social order and pre-trial release could endanger the public, hence, such bail cannot be granted.

Nwite however, ordered for accelerated hearing in the matter.

“I am not unmindful of the constitutional provision of Section 36(5) which provides that every person who is charged with criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until he is proven guilty.

“But I must not hesitate to state that the said constitutional provision is not absolutely right.

“In the consideration of application for bail, all factors have to be considered,” he said.

Citing a 2001 case involving Bamaiyi and the State, the judge said the apex court held that “it is proper to consider the nature of the offence, the nature of the evidence in support of it and the severity of the punishment which conviction will entail.”

He said the court took these critical factors as to availability to stand trial into consideration, hence, “these are not matters that should be glossed over.”

Justice Nwite said: “I cannot say more than this erudite jurist.  Our criminal justice system has its stipulations and safeguards for the prosecutor, the accused and the victim.

“In the proper operation of that system, it can be said that it is in the interest of the society and with those safeguards that if an application for bail pending trial, there is a good reason to believe or strongly agree that the accused will not jump bail, thereby making himself available to stand his trial and/or will not interfere with witnesses thereby constituting an obstacle in the way of justice, the court will be acting within the undoubted discretion to grant bail.

“I have carefully considered the affidavit evidence available before me in this point in time.

“And I have also considered the proof of evidence, especially the statement of Dan Lawan Abdulmumuni and other prosecution witnesses together with grave threat to national security and public safety this case pose.

“And I have also taken cognizance that terrorism related offences threatened social order and pre-trial release could endanger the public.

“In my view, the prosecution/respondent has succeeded in raising a reasonable presumption of criminal responsibility on the part of the applicants (Adamu and co-defendants).

“In view of the foregoing, I am of the humble view and I so hold that interest of justice will be met by giving the matter accelerated hearing.

“Consequently, the application is hereby refused,” the judge ruled.

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until January 13 for commencement of trial.

Recall that the court had ordered the remand of the defendants at the Kuje Correctional Center shortly after their arraignment on a 10-count charge on December 31, 2025.

Nwite similarly adjourned till January 5, 2026, for ruling in their bail applications.

Adamu, the 1st defendant, was arraigned alongside Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed, who are 2nd to 4th defendants respectively and Bauchi State civil servants.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

The charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025, was dated and filed December 30, 2025 by EFCC’s lawyer, Samuel Chime.

In count one, Adamu, Sirajo Jaja (while being Accountant-General of Bauchi State, now at large}, Samaila Irmiya Liman (now at large}, Balarabe Ilelah, Aminu Bose and Kabiru Mohammed (all being civil servants and signatories to Bauchi State Government’s accounts and/or payment instruments) were alleged to have committed the offence sometime between Jan. 2024 and May 2024.

They were alleged to have conspired to provide funds in the aggregate sum of $2.3 million in cash for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him, pursuant to approvals granted by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.

The said funds were alleged to be used, in whole or in part, to finance a terrorist or terrorist group.

The offence is contrary to Section 26(1) and punishable under Section 21(2)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In count three, Adamu, Jaja (now at large), Liman (now at large), Ilelah, Bose, Mohammed (all being civil servants and signatories to Bauchi State Government’s accounts and/or payment instruments) were alleged to have, sometime between January 2024 and May 2024, committed the offence.

They were accused of involving in an arrangement which resulted in the sum of about $500,000.00 being delivered in cash to Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him for the purpose of terrorism and for the benefit of a proscribed terrorist group pursuant to approvals granted by Gov. Bala Mohammed.

The offence is contrary to Section 21(3)(b) and punishable under Section 21(4)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Alhaji Bello Bodejo is the President, the Miyettti Allah Kautal Hore.

Adamu, the 1st defendant, alongside a firm, Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd, is also facing another money laundering charge involving N4.6 billion before Justice Nwite.

He was, however, granted a N500 million bail with two sureties who must be owners of property within Maitama, Asokoro or Gwarimpa on Friday.

In the six-count charge, Adamu was alleged to have committed the offence while acting as the Branch Manager of Polaris Bank Ltd, Bauchi, sometime between June 2023 to December 2023.